Raiders Preview

This dejected Raiders fan should have
something to cheer about this season

The Oakland Raiders are a new team this year. Despite playing many close games last year, they hobbled to a 5-11 season behind 300 lb QB JaMarcus Russel. This year, the Raiders have a new and improved look through trading and the draft.

Offense
The Raiders offense has struggled mightily for the past seven years because of a lack of a capable quarterback. Many quarterbacks have come and gone through Oakland and there has never been any stability at this position since Rich Gannon left. Jason Campbell brings a new attitude to this Raiders offense and is coming off a career best season.

The running game has not been nearly as bad but has struggled as well. Darren McFadden will look to stay healthy and play like a first round draft pick. Michael Bush has been solid for the Raiders and will continue to play well. Rock Cartwright will also help their running game as well.

Defense
The Raiders defense has always been the best part of their team. Their pass defense is perennially strong, but vice versa for their run defense. Having Richard Seymour back is bound to help and Matt Shaughnessy, Trevor Scott, and Tommy Kelly all have shown that they are capable of starting. The secondary, led by all-pro CB Nnamdi Asomougha, has gotten better with the emergence of Tyon Branch as one of the top tackling safeties in the NFL. Rolando McClain was a great pick in the draft and he is sure to help this defense become one of the better defenses in the league.

Special Teams
The Raiders return units have not been up to par in the NFL for the last couple of years. They lack a solid kick and punt returner though Johnny Lee Higgins is back from injury. Rock Cartwright returned kicks in Washington, and speedy WR Jacoby Ford, who had the top 40 time in the combine this year, can be used as well. The Raiders also have the top P in the NFL in Shane Lechler and one of the best K in Sebastian Janikowski, whose highlight last year was a 61 yaard kick in Cleveland, and has also had a 64 yarder miss off the left upright. One thing is for sure, the Raiders offense does not have to drive too far into opponents' territory to get points with Janikowksi's leg.

Here is the Raider's schedule this year and my predictions
@ TEN (L), vs STL (W), @ARI (L), vs HOU (L), vs SD (L), @ SF (L), @ DEN (W), vs SEA (W), vs KC (W), BYE, @ PIT (L), vs MIA (W), @ SD (L), @ JAC (W), vs DEN (W), vs IND (L), @ KC (W)

Projected Record: 8-8, 2nd in AFC West

49ers Preview

This is a make or break year for Smith

The 2010 NFL regular season is nearly underway. Here are my predictions for the 2010 San Francisco 49ers, a team looking to get to the postseason for the first time since 2002. Coming of an 8-8 year in Mike Singletary's first full season as the head coach, the 49ers are the favorites to win the NFC West.

The Offense
QB Alex Smith has been given another chance to prove he deserved to be a number 1 overall pick in the draft. However, he hasn't looked too sharp in camp or their 1st preseason game. Despite these struggles, Alex Smith has been given some continuity in the coaching staff and his teammates. For the first time in his career, he doesn't have to learn a brand new offense. The offensive line is much improved despite the injury to C Eric Heittman. 1st round draft picks Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis will give Alex Smith more time to throw the ball. QB David Carr is a better backup than Shaun Hill, and QB Nate Davis can be a starter in future years if Alex Smith disappoints. Also, WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis are huge threats on the offensive side. Ted Ginn Jr. can is also a good option as a third receiver.

Despite RB Glen Coffee's abrupt retirement at the age of 23, the Niners running game remains strong. The acquisition of Brian Westbrook as a backup running back is probably an upgrade over the young Coffee, and talented RB Anthony Dixon, picked in the 6th Round of this year's draft, has shown he can take over in the future.

The Defense
The defense remains the 49ers strongest part of the team, and they will continue to improve over the course of the season. The 3-4 defensive scheme suits the team well because of their strong linebacking unit. Patrick Willis is the best linebacker in the NFL and Manny Lawson, Takeo Spikes, and Parys Haralson are good complements. Though Justin Smith is getting old he is still a great pass rusher, and Aubrayo Franklin is one of the top NT in the NFL. Ricky Jean-Francois is also a good backup. AWOL linebacker Kentawn Balmer was just traded and this takes a huge burden off the team.

The secondary is still a solid group despite the aging of Nate Clements. Michael Lewis and Dashon Goldson are very good at safety, and Taylor Mays has enough talent to take over in case of an injury. Shawntae Spencer has solidified his position over the last couple of years Tarell Brown is also a viable option.

Special Teams
The acquisition of Ted Ginn Jr. is a huge help for a struggling kick return group. P Andy Lee is still a pro bowl caliber player. However, K Joe Nedney is not getting any younger and K Shane Andrus has not shown he can fill Nedney's shoes.

The 49ers are the favorites out west this year as St. Louis is playing with a rookie QB, Seattle is still declining, and Arizona lost much of their core players.

This is their schedule and how I think they will fare this season
@ SEA (W), vs NO (L), @ KC (W), @ ATL (L), vs PHI (L), vs OAK (W), @ CAR (W), vs DEN (W), BYE, vs STL (W), vs TB (W), @ ARI (W), @ GB (L), vs SEA (W), @ SD (L), @ STL (W), vs ARI (W)

Projected Record: 11-5, 1st in NFC West

What is the Matter with Tim Lincecum?

Could Lincecum's Hair be the possible problem?

This season can be classified as a down year for Giants ace Tim Lincecum. Despite his hot start to the season, he has had many struggles, but there is no obvious cause. Here are some possible causes and some solutions to get Timmy back to the way he was when he won two Cy Young Awards.

Main Cause: A Significant Drop in Fastball Velocity
Tim Lincecum's fastball velocity has dropped from 94-96 to 89-92. He is a power pitcher who used to blow people away with his fastball and then strike people out with a filthy changeup, making him virtually unhittable. Now he is not able to establish his fastball and his changeup loses its effectiveness, making him very hittable. He has a wild pitching motion and has been tinkering with it throughout the course of the season, but hasn't found the right motion. His stature and his motion initially caused many teams to pass on him in the draft.

The Fix: Call his father Chris Lincecum and make him a personal pitching coach. Lincecum's delivery was taught to him by his father. He can help pitching coach Dave Righetti find out what's wrong with Tim.

They can skip a couple of his starts, or even put him on the DL, and let him find himself and let the coaches work with him.

Other Possible Solutions:
GET A HAIRCUT. His hair could be getting in the way of his pitching or it could even be a superstitious thing, which is very common in baseball. He has not cut his hair since early in the 2008 season.

Every pitcher has these down years, Jake Peavy, Roy Halladay, and Pedro Martinez, who Lincecum is often compared to all went through this. It's okay if Lincecum doesn't pitch complete game shutouts every time out. The Giants just need him to pitch well enough to keep them in the game. Baseball is a team sport and there are 24 other guys who can win games for the Giants, and the Giants certainly do not lack in the pitching category. Every starter has a sub 4 ERA. Barry Zito and Matt Cain definitely have the "ace stuff." Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner have pitched quality starts consistently. In the end, what matters is the Giants win games and make the postseason, and they are capable of doing that with an average Tim Lincecum.